Copyright ©1978 by The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene ACUTE RENAL FAILURE FOLLOWING SCORPION STING*

Abstract. Fifteen cases of acute renal failure following scorpion sting were studied. The onset of disease was characterized by the occurrence of hemoglobinuria within 24 h of the sting. Most of the patients developed oliguria, edema, hemolytic anemia, and hemolytic jaundice. Renal failure developed within a few days after the sting, and in five patients was severe enough to need dialysis. The onset of diuresis in oliguric patients occurred between 6 and 21 days following the sting. Renal biopsies were possible in four cases and showed mesangial proliferation, variable degrees of tubular changes, and mild interstitial infiltration. The pathogenesis of acute renal failure in these patients is discussed. Scorpions are widely distributed in Africa and urine analysis, BUN, serum creatinine, serum in the Middle East. Glenn et al.1 investigated the intergeneric relationship of venoms from scorpions of different geographical areas and showed that all contained certain antigenic com ponents in common. Some of the clinical effects of all scorpion venoms are therefore likely to b